People

Bozena Samborska, MSc (University of Guelph)
Bozena completed her MSc in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Guelph studying protein structure and function of cyanobacterial carboxysomes. She has been a Research Assistant at McGill University since 2011. In the Kazak lab, she is investigating creatine metabolism in T cell function. In her spare time, she is a maker of delicious bean-to-bar chocolate. Read Bozena’s papers.

Fitore Raka, PhD (University of Toronto)
Fitore was born in Kosovo and recently completed her PhD at the University of Toronto, where she focused on studying postprandial lipid metabolism and the role of serotonin in this process. When she’s not in the lab, Fitore enjoys cycling around the city and is always on the hunt for the best coffee and croissants.

Faiz Hussain, (McGill University)
Faiz is a born and raised Montrealer. He completed his BSc at McGill University. He is exploring how the futile creatine cycle is triggered downstream of thermogenic inputs, using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, protein mass spectrometry and classical enzyme biochemistry. Read Faiz’s papers.

Drishti Soni, PhD candidate 
Drishti was born in Delhi, the capital of India. She did her master’s from Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India. She spent 2 years at CSIR-IGIB, Delhi exploring the regulation of telomerase in breast cancer. Drishti’s PhD work is focused in vivo genetic screens to identify regulatory mechanisms important for obesity-driven breast cancer.

Maria Delgado Martin, PhD candidate 
Maria was born in Madrid, where she completed her BSc in Biotechnology. She obtained her MSc in Biomedical Sciences from Maastricht University and moved to Stockholm to continue working at the Karolinska Institute. Maria is exploring mechanisms of adipocyte GPCR signaling on energy expenditure and weight loss and metabolic disease. Maria spends a big part of her free time at the gym, but also loves music, travelling and hiking.

Qiaoqiao (Ellen) Zhang, PhD candidate
Qiaoqiao was born in Urumqi, China and went to high school in Vancouver. She is currently studying mechanisms driving fat loss through GPCR signaling in adipocytes. Qiaoqiao loves jazz dance, drama performance, hiking, and is an avid equestrian. 

Mina Ersin, PhD candidate 
Mina was born in Istanbul, Turkey. She obtained her BSc in Biochemistry with Biotechnology Specialization at the University of Waterloo. Mina is studying metabolite regulation of lipid abundance in brown adipose tissue. Mina enjoys singing and sketching in her spare time.

Maria Guerra Martinez, PhD candidate 
Maria was born in Cajamarca, Peru and relocated to Calgary, Canada. Following, Maria moved to Montreal, Canada where she earned an honors degree in Biochemistry at McGill University. Currently, she is exploring how GPCR activation on adipocytes can trigger weight loss. In her spare time, Maria enjoys painting and watching movies.

Abel Oppong, PhD candidate 
As a native of Montreal, Abel completed his BSc in Biochemistry with Honours at Concordia University and MSc in Biomedical Sciences – Experimental Medicine at UdeM. Prior to joining the Kazak Lab, Abel worked as a research assistant at the CRCHUM studying the biology of multiple tissues (e.g. adipose tissue, pancreas, liver) and roles of various proteins in their development and function. His project currently focuses on understanding how TNAP activation impacts adipocyte thermogenesis and bone mineralization. In his free time, Abel enjoys weight lifting, biking, yoga, and gaming.

Daniela Zheng Fung, PhD candidate 
Daniela was born and raised in Valencia, Venezuela. She obtained her BSc in Biology from Suffolk University (Boston, MA) and subsequently worked on neutrophil and diatom cryopreservation at Massachusetts General Hospital. Daniela spends her free time at the gym or cooking, and loves to travel.

Caroline Knorn, PhD candidate 
Caroline was born in Germany and grew up in the United States. She obtained her Honours BSc in Biochemistry from McGill University. Caroline is currently exploring the role of thermogenesis in breast tumor development. Outside of the lab, Caroline spends much of her time training for triathlons but also enjoys quieter activities like reading and cooking.

Matthias Calderon, MSc Candidate
Matthias is is studying the capacity for energy expenditure pathways to offset obesity and obesity-associated complications.

Samantha Dugan, MSc Candidate
Samantha recently completed her BSc in Biochemistry at Carleton University in Ottawa. Her research focuses on investigating progenitor cells involved in de novo brown adipogenesis. In her free time Samantha enjoys playing field hockey, skiing, and spending time outdoors. 

Martin Sorensen, MSc Candidate
Martin was born in Arizona, and grew up on the outskirts of Philadelphia. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at Brigham Young University, where he worked in the JC Price lab studying the implications of the APOE gene on the lipidome through mass spectrometry analysis. In his free time, he enjoys recording/producing music, running, lifting weights, cooking, and spending time with his wife.

Veronika Akstanova, MSc Candidate
Veronika was born in Russia but have spent most of her life in Toronto. She completed an undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology and Genetics at McMaster University. Anyone who knows her also knows that she’s a huge fan of fantasy and thriller novels, and is always looking for new book recommendations.

Clara Schwyn, honours research
Clara is a third-year Honours Biochemistry student. She is researching metabolite involvement in the regulation of lipid concentrations in brown adipose tissue. Outside of the lab, Clara enjoys being part of Les Muses Chorale, crocheting, and spending time with friends.

Emma Neamtu, honours research
Emma was born in Montreal and is entering her last year in biochemistry. She is studying TNAP’s mitochondrial targeting in brown adipose tissue.  In her spare time, she likes to read, embroider, and explore the city.

Hadley Slawson, honours research
Hadley is from Illinois and is in her third year of her biochemistry degree. She is studying how adipocyte GPCR signaling can affect metabolic health. In her free time, Hadley enjoys hiking, singing in choir, and taking care of animals. 

Dante D’Alessandro, honours research
Dante is a third-year honors biochemistry student from Massachusetts, studying non-shivering thermogenesis and insulin signaling in obese mice. In his spare time, he enjoys running, camping, and exploring new places.